Chris Long frustrated with offside penalty: On the game's opening drive, the Rams appeared to get a quick three-and-out when tight end Tony Gonzalez was dropped for no gain on third-and-12 at Atlanta's 18. A flag came out on the play, and Rams defensive end Chris Long was called for offside. The drive stayed alive, and the Falcons scored to take an early 7-0 lead. On the play, Atlanta right tackle Lamar Holmes appeared to move early, causing Long to jump and the flag to come out. Lined up in a two-point stance, the normal reaction to a snap would force Long to come off late, not early, leaving Long stunned when the call went against him.

"Absolutely I was surprised," Long said. "They’ll watch tape, too, and they’ll get better just like we will."

Long said he was offered no explanation for the call.

Saffold on crutches: Right tackle Rodger Saffold left the game with a knee injury about halfway through the second quarter and did not return. Injury issues have been a persistent problem for Saffold, and Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Saffold has further evaluations that need to be made before determining his status. Saffold was moving around the locker room on crutches after the game.

Daniels fractures ankle: Rams safety Matt Daniels clearly doesn't have much luck when it comes to injuries. He suffered a fractured ankle in the first quarter and will need to have surgery as soon as possible, according to Fisher.

Penalties killer: The Rams once again had penalty problems, racking up seven for 53 yards. Most egregious, though, were the flags that cascaded down upon the special teams. Those flags drew the ire of Fisher after the game. The Rams got good work from the special teams last week, but the group posted four penalties for 33 yards. More often than not, the result of those penalties left the Rams with dreadful field position.